BTN.com staff, October 26, 2015
The Big Ten office released its Week 8 Big Ten award winners on Monday morning. See all of the honorees and watch select video highlights below.
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Co-Offensive Players of the Week: Connor Cook, Michigan State, Sr., QB, Hinckley, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit
- Set career highs with 30 completions, 52 attempts, 398 passing yards and four passing touchdowns in Michigan State?s victory over Indiana
- Added 18 rushing yards to establish a school record with 416 total yards
- Recorded at least 300 passing yards for the third consecutive contest
- Earns the first Offensive Player of the Week award of his career
- Last Michigan State Offensive Player of the Week: Aaron Burbridge (Sept. 21, 2015)
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J.T. Barrett, Ohio State, So., QB, Wichita Falls, Texas/Rider
- Accounted for 324 total yards of offense and five touchdowns in Ohio State?s win against Rutgers
- Completed 14 of 18 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns
- Rushed for 101 yards on 13 carries, reaching the end zone twice on the ground
- Claims the fourth Offensive Player of the Week award of his career and first since Nov. 10, 2014
- Last Ohio State Offensive Player of the Week: Ezekiel Elliott (Oct. 5, 2015)
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Defensive Player of the Week: Dean Lowry, Northwestern, Sr., DE, Rockford, Ill./Boylan
- Set a school record with six tackles for loss, including two sacks, and totaled 10 tackles and one pass breakup in Northwestern?s victory at Nebraska
- His six tackles for loss tied for the most by a Big Ten player in a single game since Rob Ninkovich tallied seven in 2005 and matched the sixth-most in conference history
- Anchored a Wildcat defense that held Nebraska to 82 rushing yards
- Earns his first career Defensive Player of the Week honor
- Last Northwestern Defensive Player of the Week: Anthony Walker (Sept. 21, 2015)
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Special Teams Player of the Week: Drew Meyer, Wisconsin, Sr., P, Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead
- Averaged 46.8 yards per punt on five attempts in Wisconsin?s victory at Illinois
- Placed three of his five punts inside the 20-yard line
- Recorded three punts of 50 or more yards for the second time this season and the third time in his career
- Claims his first career Special Teams Player of the Week honor
- Last Wisconsin Special Teams Player of the Week: Brad Nortman (Oct. 25, 2010)
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Freshman of the Week: Clayton Thorson, Northwestern, QB, Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North
- Accounted for 303 total yards and two touchdowns in Northwestern?s win at Nebraska
- Rushed for 126 yards on nine attempts, including one touchdown
- Tallied 177 passing yards and one touchdown through the air
- Wins his second career weekly award
- Last Northwestern Freshman of the Week: Clayton Thorson (Sept. 8, 2015)